Oleguer Presas Renom

Oleguer was born in Sabadell, some 20 kilometres from Barcelona. He started his footballing career with clubs in his home town, before moving to the nearby Division 2B side UEA Gramenet B.

He made his first team debut with Gramenet in the 1998-1999 season and stayed there for the next three seasons. He signed for FC Barcelona at the age of 21 in the 2001-02 season and went straight into the Barca B team.

The following season, Van Gaal gave him his first team debut on 24th August 2002 against Red Star (1-0) in the Joan Gamper tournament. His first competitive match was against Galatasaray (3-1) in the Champions League on 13th November 2002 in the Nou Camp.

Throughout the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons he alternated his appearances with the first team with those with Barca B. He made the definitive leap to the first team in January 2004 and since then has become one of the players most used by Frank Rijkaard. He played 36 games in the league and 7 in the Champions League. Oleguer also scored his only ever goal for the club in Malaga, the first in a 4-0 win on April 24, 2005.

In the 2005-06 season, Oleguer consolidated his position as a right back, sometimes also filling in as a centre back. The player from Sabadell appeared in 33 League, 11 Champions League and 3 Cup matches.

CHARACTERISTICS

Concentration and dependability are two of his main assets. He can play either in central defence or at right back. Incisive in man-to-man marking, he's also very good in the air thanks to his height.

Although he doesn't usually play the ball out of defence himself, he links well with the midfielders. Rarely seen in attacking positions.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006-07 Spanish Supercup
2005-06 Champions League
2005-06 League
2005-06 Spanish Supercup
2004-05 League